Hiring a teenage babysitter?

Lexidocious · June 2014

I posted on care.com and so far my favorite applicant is a 16 year old girl. She's been taking classes through her high school and is CPR certified. Her teachers are her references. Not only that, she keeps messaging me with more info ("I forgot to mention.."). She just seems like such a little go getter. I don't know though... I just remember ME as a teenage babysitter..

I wasn't quite as enthused about it though. Has anyone hired a teen? What should I ask her during the interview? Am I crazy for considering a teenager? I have three kids (4,3, and six months), I wonder if that's too many for her to handle? Also, she doesn't drive and says her parents will be her transportation. Is it weird of me to ask to meet her driver? I mean, they ARE coming to our house.

barista411 · June 2014

Could you do a trial? Have her come over for an hour or so, meet her parents, and just hang back and let her interact with the kids and see how it goes.

At 16 there is such a range in maturity but I wouldn't count her out just because if her age.

Kim22 · June 2014

It depends on her and on your kids. If she is experienced and if your older kids listen well, it should be fine. If you say go to bed, will the big kids do it without a fight? I babysat all the time from 8th grade on and I was probably most attentive when I was younger. I haven't left the baby yet with my teenage sitters because he won't take a bottle but if he did I would be fine with it. A huge plus of a younger sitter is you will have her around for several years if you like her. I would have her over for a few hours while you are home and see how it goes.

88sharonlee · June 2014

I think 16 isn't too young for your older too but for 3 kids and one is only 7 months- that might be a lot.
Has she been babysitting and has she sat for multiple kids? Does she have any references you can talk to?

I agree have her do a mothers helper night to see how she deals with the kids.

I think it would also depend on how well behaved and independent your older kids are.

I'd be nervous.

mskatiep · June 2014

I agree with PPs. Meet her, meet her parents, do a trial run, and go from there. At 12 I was babysitting multiple kids, by 16 I was a lead at a daycamp so I had 10 kindergarten age kids in my care. I think a 16 year-old could handle it.

Although, I'm just big talk because I finally left my LO with my sister and I was worried the entire time

sands42 · June 2014

I would not have a teenager watch my baby. My daughter is 3 years old now and I'd definitely be comfortable with a teenager watching her... But, with my baby- no. Not that they can't be great- that's just how I feel about it for myself to feel comfortable.

mamasoup030 · June 2014

I babysat for 4 girls ranging in age from 9-5 when I was 16 on a regular basis and for a week at a time in the summer - I was the primary caregiver for that week. So I do believe a 16 year old can handle it. That being said, if this was my situation, I might consider the 16 year old for just the older 2 and maybe send the baby to someone else so it's not too much on the sitter at first and maybe until the baby was 1/ 2 years old. Also, can you drive her home if that really bothers you? I used to be picked up/dropped off by the family before I could drive.

agfox92 · June 2014

I wondered this when we started getting a sitter and then realized I had started sitting for babies when I was way young. Try it out once!

Lexidocious · June 2014

I was thinking we'd start with a mommy's helper type thing and then move on to date night sitting from there. Lol my husband thought I was nuts for wanting to meet her driver.

Mum2Be28 · June 2014

IMO a teenage sitter is fine if they have babysitting experience, they have taken the CPR class, they are outgoing/playful/talkative with LO and they aren't constantly on their phone. Those were kind of the guide lines I went by when I hired. We have used our 17 year old sitter twice and it went really well! The first time I had her come like 2 hours early so I could show her around the house, let W get to know her, and sort of spy on her from a distance. I just cleaned up and put make up on and got ready while she played with him and gave him dinner. But I was able to see how she interacted with him and I was happy with her.

bluek210 · June 2014

My nanny is 18 and just graduated from high school. We did a couple trials when he was only 4 or 5 weeks old. She is awesome, mature, and came with great experience and references. I would want someone who at least had some experience though, especially with 3.

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